Innovative Medical Device Development Center Opens in NY

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 May 2016

Three-dimensional (3D) printer manufacturer Stratasys (Rehovot, Israel) and the Jacobs Institute (JI; Buffalo, NY, USA) have created a research and development (R&D) center aimed at using 3D printing to test and develop new medical devices.

The new Center of Excellence (COE) will leverage Stratasys’ 3D printing technology to develop and test new medical devices using printed prototypes and models. The COE will also serve as a referral center for hospitals and medical research organizations that are considering implementing 3D printing labs, and will enrich clinical education and training activities for a variety of audiences. It is also expected to aid hospitals and medical research groups in their own implementation of in-house 3D printing labs, an increasingly common phenomenon.

Image: Vascular testing model produced on the Stratasys Objet500 Connex3 3D printer (Photo courtesy of the Jacobs Institute).

Stratasys supports the COE by providing advanced 3D printing solutions that feature a combination of vibrant colors and diverse material properties, including different levels of opacity and rigidity. Other partners in the COE will include Kaleida Health (Buffalo, NY, USA), the largest healthcare provider in Western New York, and the State University of New York at Buffalo (USA). Kaleida Health will participate via its vascular institute, while the University at Buffalo will share its Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC).

“By partnering with Stratasys, the Jacobs Institute is bringing the leader in 3D printing to Buffalo to work closely with the JI and its partners, Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo, to accelerate the development of new medical technologies,” said Bill Maggio, CEO of the Jacobs Institute. “Working together, the respective institutions will leverage their strengths to make an impact far greater than they could make individually.”

“This announcement with the Jacobs Institute is an important milestone, marking the first time we are formally partnering with a medical organization to explore the exciting opportunities of 3D printing and healthcare,” said Scott Rader, general manager of medical solutions at Stratasys. “Stratasys brings decades of experience to the Jacobs Institute, a leader in 3D printed models, to push the boundaries of how these models can be used to train the next generation of physicians, and test new devices.”

Related Links:
Stratasys
Jacobs Institute